Location: Coastal Georgia Center, 305 Fahm St. (behind the Visitor's Center) Directions and MapAccess: Open to the public and free for members, students and accompanying family members, educators and active military and their dependents. $10.00 charge for non-members.

Mr. Todd Moss

In the mind of many Americans, Africa invokes images or famine or Blackhawk Down. But the continent is increasingly democratic and is now the home to six of the ten fastest growing economies in the world. Investors from London, New York, Shanghai, and Dubai are looking afresh at opportunities in Africa, especially to meet rapidly expanding consumer demand. At the same time, U.S. national security—including concerns about the spread of Al Qaeda, international criminal networks, and cross-border disease—is also pushing Africa higher up the U.S. foreign policy agenda. In short, Africa is more important to the United States than ever before. President Clinton launched a major trade initiative with Africa, while President Bush made major new commitments to working with African partners to promote security and health. Yet, the Obama Administration seems to have lost momentum. The president’s June trip to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania along with a recently announced energy initiative might be enough to turn things around. Moss, a former senior State Department official, will discuss the challenges of a rising Africa facing American foreign policy.

Moss served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State from May 2007 to October 2008 while on leave from CGD. He originally joined the Center in July 2003 from the World Bank where he served as a consultant and advisor to the Chief Economist in the Africa Region. Prior to joining the Bank, he was a Lecturer at the London School of Economics (LSE) in the postgraduate Development Studies Institute. Previously, Moss has worked as an Analyst for the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and was Assistant Director of U.S. Policy Programs at the Overseas Development Council (ODC). Moss is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University and the author of numerous articles and books, includingAdventure Capitalism: Globalization and the Political Economy of Stock Markets in Africa(Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) andAfrican Development: Making Sense of the Issues and Actors(Lynne Rienner, 2nd ed., 2011).

Sponsor of this Month’s Program - Sylvester & Co., Modern General

Located at 205 West Broughton St. in Savannah, Sylvester & Co. is a contemporary general store which first opened its doors in Sag Harbor in 1989. They sell furniture, lighting, accessories, gifts and a seasonally changing selection of supplies for life. They have a reputation for throwing a good party and often have book signings and host exhibits for artists and photographers. The front of the store welcomes visitors with their legendary coffee bar, serving up Dreamy iced coffee in the summer and Dreamy hot chocolate in the winter. Definitely worth a visit, the SCWA thanks Sylvester & Co. for their support.

Upcoming Programs

April 17, 2014 Dr. Katia Romero on "Renewable Energy in Mexico - A Business Opportunity" and Dr. Arturo Bocardo-Valle on "Migration and Remittances - Social and Economic Implications"